Driver News - Vincec prepares for next round of Florida Winter Tour at Moroso
Vincec prepares for next round of Florida Winter Tour at Moroso Looks to improve Homestead results Stoufville, Ontario - February 2, 2006 - Despite a good start to the weekend, the first round of the Florida Winter tour did not go exactly as planned for 14 year old Mike Vincec. Making the move up to the 125 cc Pro Shifter class, Vincec is looking to use the Winter Tour as preseason testing in his Cameron Motorsports CRG, Swedetech TM powered kart. Things were shaping up fine on Saturday as the karts took to the temporary circuit. Friday testing allowed Mike and the team to work on set-up and were rewarded with a P6 starting position in the pre- final. The best news was the Mike was just 2/10ths off the pole time. Competition would be fierce however as a field of 25 karts took the track, the top 18 separated only by 1 second. Up against some seasoned ICC drivers, some of whom Mike raced in his first Pro Shifter race at the SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas, the focus was to get comfortable with the kart under race conditions. “It’s quite a change from running the smaller 80 c.c. engines,�?? offered Mike. “We make a lot more power down the straights so braking is a real issue, especially on a temporary circuit. It takes some adjustment, especially when you are in such a large field.�?? The pre-final results proved Mike had the goods to compete at this level and went on to post a fifth-place finish. Just 25/100ths off the fastest time, Mike’s times improved throughout the race. This would set up for a good starting position in Saturday’s final. From P5, the race placed out much as the pre-final with the lead group holding positions. At the end, Mike crossed the line P5. “It’s very tough to pass when all the karts are so close in times,�?? reported Mike. “The top six all had lap times within 2/10ths of each other. That makes for some very tight racing.�?? Sunday did not go as well as hoped. Early in qualifying, Mike was posting some quick times, as high as P3 and just 1/10th off his Saturday pace but a light rain late in the session slowed the pace. Mike was not able to get a clear run on subsequent laps to improve his time leaving him to start P9. Again, the top 18 were separated by only 1 second. The pre-final unfolded with the field holding position as karts ran virtually nose- to-tail around the circuit and Mike came home in 9th place. The final however, brought disappointment. An incident into the second corner right after the start put Mike out of the race. “We are of course, disappointed with a DNF, “said Mike. “While the Winter Tour is really about preparing to compete in The Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship and the Snap-On Stars of Karting Series, it would be nice to come away with some good results, especially a win in the Winter Tour. The Tour championship is based on points and the DNF on Sunday did not help in that regard.�?? There are four more races left on the Florida Winter Tour. The next two take place at Moroso Motorsports Park in Jupiter, Florida on February 11th and 12th. “Moroso is a permanent circuit with a bit more predictability on track conditions,�?? noted Vincec. “This will help in judging our set-up and hopefully we can put that first win on the board. We proved at Homestead that we can run with the leaders. Now we just need to bring it home.�?? The team leaves for Moroso on Monday and hope to get in some open practice sessions before the weekend. For more information and results visit www.mikev.ca. -- 30 -- Media Contact: Chris Jameson Level Ten Communications +1 416.730.1024 media@mikev.ca